We have been working night and day to send humanitarian aid to our network of affiliated churches, schools, partners and organisations in the affected areas (and directly to immediate partners such as Cangé Michelet and Wilson Charles). One week after the earthquake and subsequent tremors that have struck Haiti, we now know there have been more than 75,000 deaths with hundreds of thousands injured, and over 1 million left homeless. Make-shift “camps” are now seen all over Pétionville and other affected cities and we are helping them directly. 5000 felons have escaped from the maximum security penitentiary in Port-au-Prince and national radio in Haiti is reporting much violence, looting and unrest. Pastors are speaking to us directly of many rapes and attacks on families by gangs and are organizing neighbourhood watches and encouraging their people to stay in groups.

Although banks and Western Union have been closed since the earthquake, (one or two banks opened two hours yesterday, but closed again).We have been able to establish a direct channel, which is safe and effective, to send help directly to the people, churches, schools, orphanages, organisations, and on-site pastors and leaders. Your support allows us to provide water, food, medical assistance, material, survival kits, tents and bedding. Our next priority will be to consider mid-term lodging accommodations and “resource camps” for the homeless as well as the eventual sending of medical care, construction and psychological care specialist teams to Haiti. All governments, NGOs and ministry sources on the ground are telling us it would not be wise to send teams right away because of security, lodging, equipment and supply concerns. They strongly advise against sending teams at the present time, but we believe that the coordinating of all of our efforts for sending teams in the next few weeks will be a key component of our second phase. Our third phase would be the assessment and consideration of our most urgent reconstruction projects.

Pray for Haiti. We are in daily contact with our Haitian friends, who are surviving in the midst indescribable horror. Your generosity is making a difference and saving lives today. As has been reported in the international media, the organisation and transportation of direct help by the international community has been extremely difficult, and thousands are in danger of dying from malnutrition, epidemics and injuries. Our friends have lost family members, their own homes, churches, orphanages, schools and humanitarian aid buildings, which were completely destroyed. However, your commitment to Haiti is feeding people, giving them water to drink, treating their injuries, housing them and helping the multitudes of our Haitian brothers and sisters pick up the pieces after their tragic losses.  Your gifts are helping them recover and survive, giving them hope, one person at a time.

Thank you for praying and giving to Haiti. We believe that the earthquake will bring about transformation. By God’s grace, through your help, and through the fierce and unbreakable determination of the Haitian people, we will rebuild a better Haiti. We will be sending a more complete report within the next few days. On behalf of our family in Haiti, we thank you.

With prayer and hope for Haiti,

Pastor Claude Houde